Blue Kermaro is a half-brother to Off The Richter and debuted in NSW under the eye of Gary Stewart. Second start was in a heat of the Robert Smith Memorial at The Gardens before heading to Victoria where he’s run 29.64 at The Meadows and 29.20 at Sandown.
Omega Travis is an eight-time winner at Wentworth Park over the 520m and has a low mark of 29.53. Hasn’t been at his best since running second in the NSW National Sprint final (August 8) and winning the Dapto Silver Collar (June 20), but kennel believes he’s turned a corner.
Ali Tango flew in a 29.13 win at The Gardens last Friday night and has great early pace, while Mepunga Tully ran second in the Group 1 Maturity Classic in Melbourne in July.
Archer Fly High comes out of the Gosford regional final of the MDC and ran a quick 29.33 in the heats. Can be sluggish early but gets a great draw and has run 29.79 at Wenty Park.
Mepunga Shine won the Group 1 Silver Chief last December, was a Temlee placegetter in February behind Explicit and Alpha Zulu, a Perth Cup runner-up in March behind Uncle Tommy (beating home Sunset Frazier among others), and a Townsville Cup finalist last month as well. Has seen Wenty Park twice before and is part of the powerful Britton kennel.
Elite Alex broke the Sale track record over 510m two starts ago (28.43) and has run in Australian Sprint and Golden Easter Egg finals in the last 18 months. Has run 29.60 at Wenty Park, Ritza Smoke has gone sub-29.7 in his last two Wenty Park starts, while Has Ability was an MDC finalist last year.
Cain Bale is strong as an ox and he’s a Group 1 Rookie Rebel finalist over 600m from earlier in the year. Had a crack at the Nowra regional series and although he made the final, had no luck running seventh of eight. First race at headquarters but has won six from eight Box 1 starts down South.
Hurricane Reign won the Group 2 Nowra Puppy Classic and was a runner-up in the Group 1 National Futurity in January. She also made the G1 Dapto Megastar final last month and has the early pace to lead just about any greyhound. Tires late but is drawn to run well.
Angel Shirley missed the start by two lengths in the Black Top heats at The Gardens and still ran 29.54. She’s been to Wenty Park since and destroyed them in 29.59, but can she cross two quick runners early in Hurricane Reign and Starburst Milly?
Ain’t Waiting is another Flying Ricciardo x Poco Dorado and four of her littermates have already qualified for the semi-finals. Like some of her littermates, wants room to move so Box 1 doesn’t favour her. Did run 29.74 in winning at Wenty Park three back which was a PB.
Canya Love Me has had 13 starts at track and trip for five wins and four minors. The 29.78 win back on September 14 was brilliant and she can carve out time mid race. The Gosford Goldmine finalist behind Angel Shirley could lead and hang on as long as the next bloke isn’t on her tail.
Flash Boom Bang is the best dog in the race but where will he land from Box 5? It might be a good spot for him to be honest and if he follows his normal racing trait, he’ll be last at the post but in a stalking position on the fence. Can rip off miraculous closing sections but will need luck as always.
Cruising Debbie must be respected. One, because she’s an 11-time winner and has accumulated more than $240,000 in earnings. And two, because her trainer has won the MDC before. Group 1 placegetter and Group 3 winner already.
Blue Goose Boy is a Wentworth Park winner. 19 starts for nine wins and six minors in town and his last two starts have been that of a serious greyhound. The 29.61 effort last time out followed a 29.47 run and he might be peaking at the right time. Draw a worry.
Ferness is boxed poorly with pace to his inside, but he has run in some big races this year. Richmond Derby finalist as well as a placegetter in the Golden Easter Egg, Brother Fox and Vic Peters Classic. Racing without luck but is capable of a 29.5 effort.
My Hepburn isn’t the same greyhound she was in the early part of the year. Going back to December, she was a placegetter in the Christmas Gift, the Gosford Cup, the Paws Of Thunder, the Richmond Oaks and the Ladies Bracelet. Super greyhound but does she have one more big tilt left?
Tulsi Banner is a speed machine. Has an average first split of 5.43 at Wentworth Park and that would lead 90/100 races she contests. Missed it badly in the Black Top heats at The Gardens but does enjoy racing in town. Six starts for four wins, including the Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal earlier this year.
Zipping Gryllis is a threat for Brooke Ennis. Cops the visitors draw but is a multiple Group finalist and has versatility, while fellow Victorian Warm Cockles comes into this off a 29.32 win at Sandown a week ago.
Trunkey Chief has only lost one start in four attempts from the red but this is a bit harder. Like Wentworth Park and has run 29.60 at the circuit. Went 29.34 at Gosford two back and has a few nice runs behind elite talent Power And Glory on the resume as well.
Trooper Tears began his career in NSW and he won three of his four starts at Wenty before heading south. His entire career has been littered with Group calibre races and although he hasn’t won since April, he’s a talent.
Zipping Megatron seems to be getting closer to his best. Was underdone in the Bulli regional final of the MDC and finished down the track behind Power And Glory, before finishing off well in a Gosford heat of the MDC. Third up from that spell and he just loves Wenty Park with 12 starts resulting in eight wins and four second placings.
Lakeview Emily had a dip at the Dapto Megastar and had no luck. She returned to Victoria and ripped off two wins in 29.16 at Sandown and 29.60 at The Meadows. Box 3 should get her into the race and she finished between Flying Zulu and Good Odds Cobber in the Brisbane Cup final recently.
Lady Wilson ran 29.35, 29.45 and 29.55 in three consecutive runs at Wenty Park in August so she’s in great form. Just missed a ticket to the semi-finals in the Gosford regional decider, finishing fourth behind Gets Late Early, but Box 7 does her no favours.
Midnight Spritz won the Ladies Bracelet a few months back before an indifferent trip to QLD in the Winter. Has won twice since returning in 29.54 and 29.73 and is in the right kennel to produce this Saturday night.
The Hound Tips
6. Zipping Duvall
3. Lakeview Emily
4. House Of Turbo
7. Lady Wilson
The top two from each MDC city qualifier will advance to the semi-finals on Saturday, October 12. The grand final of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase will go off on Friday, October 18.
